Abia State Governor Alex Otti has rejected the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, saying no governor has the authority to speak for the South-East.

“The governor of Imo State said something about re-electing the president, but I’m not sure it is right to say that,” Mr Otti said in a clip published on News Central TV on Friday.

He added, “As a governor and as an individual, he can’t speak for every governor.”

Mr Otti’s reaction came after Mr Udozima, who chairs the South-East Governors’ Forum, said the five governors had resolved to support Mr Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Mr Uzodimma cited Mr Tinubu’s unprecedented commitment to the development of the region through landmark infrastructure and economic initiatives.

“We, the five governors of the South-East, have reviewed all options and decided that we will work with President Bola Tinubu because we want to be part of the Project Nigeria,” said the Imo governor.

However, Mr Otti insisted people in the region will take their decision at the appropriate time.

“I am sure there is an appropriate time when people will take their decision,” he added.

Mr Otti, however, clarified his position about Mr Tinubu’s administration, acknowledging some of the policies he supported.

“But, let’s also say something here. This is a government, and a government sees all the work from the national level to the sub-national level and even to the corporate level.

“Like I said the other day, there are a lot of policies that I have supported, even as a private citizen before I became the governor of the state,” Mr Otti stated.

Meanwhile, Mr Otti defended Mr Tinubu’s economic reforms, attributing the hardship in the country to years of poor economic decisions while receiving the first lady, Remi Tinubu, in the state on Tuesday.